When you have great partnerships with other businesses, you celebrate their success. So when Jeep® announced it was rolling out an all-new redesigned 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Helm was excited to see where this adventure would lead.
The 2026 model packs in state-of-the-art features, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a larger, tech-rich interior. An amazing vehicle deserves an amazing debut, so Jeep introduced the new Grand Cherokee with a high-energy campaign called “America’s Original Influencer,” featuring LL Cool J. I see exactly why he’s the perfect campaign ambassador. The rapper’s authenticity, undeniable style, and relevance have made him an enduring superstar, and decades after his debut, he’s still positively influencing culture — just like Jeep.
When our clients at Jeep Brand reached out, we were ready to answer the call. They shared the messaging for this all-new vehicle as a celebration of the return of the SUV legend, leaning into the vintage 1970s Cherokees. A kind of celebration of the vintage and modern in one. In partnership with the Stellantis Product Design Office, we developed a small collection celebrating the return of the legendary Cherokee.
Helm and Jeep have a long history of co-collaboration on branded merchandise (hats, shirts, tech, and more). When we were invited earlier this year to participate in the official launch event for the new Grand Cherokee, we went to work to create new must-have products. We focused on items that are practical, collectible, and, of course, cool enough for Jeep.
Helm created branded water bottles, beanies, jackets, hats, and shirts in the colors and styles that honor Jeep’s pioneering spirit. The items were gifted to media and influencers at the launch event. The social media buzz was strong. We developed three unique designs that the official Jeep Instagram (@jeep) took to a vote – marking a first for Helm, where customers chose which design would be added to the catalog for purchase. There was continued organic support on those channels and a display of the entire Cherokee line was featured in the New York City media launch event space. What started as a small request for one t-shirt evolved into a wide-reaching merchandise line that encapsulated heritage and appeal. It was thrilling to be a small part of the brand's enormous success.
Branded merchandise serves as an extension of a company. It plays a pivotal role in fostering awareness, goodwill, engagement, and relevance. The merchandise we designed reflects the Jeep brand, amplifying the “it” factor and giving owners and enthusiasts a tangible way to share their pride. Successfully hitting the mark for Jeep and other storied brands has helped propel Helm to earn a spot on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list.
Our partnership with Jeep proves that when you make doing business frictionless and fruitful, you can create a legacy. And when it comes to celebrating the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, we’re happy to come along for the ride.
